People allergic to pollen should be careful: the spring weather has favored the emission of pollen, placing two-thirds of France at high risk of allergy.
- The pollens are out at the beginning of April thanks to spring weather, especially those of birch.
- Many departments north of a Bordeaux-Grenoble line are classified as high allergy risk.
- Several good actions can reduce the risk of allergies.
According to update of the National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (RNSA) from April 2, 2024, two thirds of French departments are classified as red pollen allergy alert.
“The spring weather of the coming days will favor the emission and dispersion of pollen from birch, grass, plane tree, oak, ash, willow, poplar”warns the network.
Allergy: pollens are in the air at the beginning of April
As announced by the RNSA, many departments north of a Bordeaux-Grenoble line face high risks of seasonal allergies at the beginning of April. The main culprit is birch pollen.
For those with allergies, vigilance is just as important in other regions. Two-thirds of France is classified as “Red alert” the spring weather of the coming days favors the emission and dispersion of several pollens.
“In the South-East, the mixture of pollens from Cupressaceae (cypress, etc.), oak, plane tree and parietaceae (urticaceae) will give a high risk of allergy in several departments”explains the RNSA in its update of April 2.
It will be easier to breathe on the west facade where the risk of allergy is only estimated at low to medium level due to grass pollen. The air quality monitoring association warns that “ash and plane tree pollens are spread throughout the territory with a low to medium level allergy risk for plane trees and a low to high level risk for ash trees”.
Allergy sufferers should remain vigilant against the pollen present in the air at the beginning of April. The spring weather of the coming days will favor the emission and dispersion of #pollens birch, grasses, plane tree, oak, ash, willow, poplar… https://t.co/VfgV86gf94 pic.twitter.com/wXUllTxBBT
— National Aerobiological Surveillance Network (@rnsa_pollen) April 2, 2024
Pollen allergy: the right actions to adopt
People allergic to pollen can adopt several habits which help reduce the risk of seizures and make breathing easier. During the pollen period, it is advisable to:
- rinse your hair every evening;
- ventilate for at least 10 minutes per day, preferably before sunrise and sunset;
- avoid irritating factors such as tobacco, household or DIY products, indoor perfumes, incense, candles, etc.;
- limit outdoor activities, particularly those which expose you to more pollen such as mowing the lawn, gardening, walks in the forest, etc.;
- avoid drying laundry outside;
- keep the windows closed when traveling by car.
